Page 77 of The Hocus Pocus Handbook

Oh. So Iris is the daughter they abandoned me for, and she grew up with my family.

I can’t believe I’m asking this: “What’s she like?”

Olive takes a moment to consider. “Kind. Creative. She’s never met a stranger. And she can be impulsive. It frustrated our mother, who cares more about achievement than joy.”

“She sounds a lot like you,” Tara says.

If that’s the case, maybe I wouldn’t have been a good match in that family either. “What do you mean, ‘achievement’?”

“I’m a doctor,” Olive answers. “Our sisters—”

I blink. “How many are there?”

“Four, if you count Iris. We’re all named for flowers. Sort of. Iris, Lily, Rose, and me, Olive. I’m more of a vegetable. My dad named me, and he said olive trees do flower, so it doesn’t disrupt the theme.”

“Sorry, I think I interrupted the answer to my own question,” I admit.

Olive smiles. “No problem. It’s a lot to take in. You asked about the achievement thing. It means our mom cares more about success. She loves bragging about how well we’re doing in our careers. Rose is an attorney, and Lily is a therapist.”

“Are those good jobs?” I flush because it’s embarrassing how little I know about the mortal world.

“Mother thinks so.”

Belatedly, I realize we’ve kept the group standing while I questioned this woman—my sister, though I still can’t wrap my head around that—relentlessly. “Sorry to be so inquisitive. This probably isn’t the time or place, but I hope I’ll have a chance to ask more later.”

“Not at all. I’m just happy I found you.”

“I’m stunned that you came looking,” I admit.

Olive says, “I was concerned from the beginning, but time wore on, and there were no updates from the Winter Court. Rain and Fen did make a few inquiries, but nothing came of that. And I…well, let’s say I also needed a break. For personal reasons.”

“It’s not easy for a mortal to visit,” Zeph says. “How did you manage it?”

Olive smirks. “It’s better to leave you wondering, isn’t it?”

Zeph narrows their eyes, but they’re absolutely sparkling. “Tease. How did you know that I prefer delayed gratification?”

I frown at the two of them. I can’t believe Zeph is flirting with the sister I just met. “Seriously? Now? Of all times.”

Pink rushes up Olive’s throat and blooms to her cheeks. I watch Zeph track the heated flush with an indecent level of interest. They smile and lick their lips.

Kerboros clears his throat. “I agree with Thea. This isn’t the time.”

“Yeah,” Rosa says. “Keep it in your pants, you two.”

“Oh my God. Sorry!” Olive whispers, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “I don’t know what came over me. Normally, I’m not like this, I swear.”

“It’s the Devan effect,” Tara says, not unkindly. “They’re legendary for smooth talk, seductive lies, and irresistible charm.” She glances at Zeph with a single-shoulder shrug. “Sorry. But working in a tavern, I hear things. Or rather, I heard about Devan. I didn’t know you prefer to be called Zeph.”

Truth. People drinking deep from their mugs love to gossip. And I do recall Tara warning me about Devan over drinks at the Toad in the Hole. Seeing Zeph try their luck with the sister I just met aggravates me; it feels disrespectful since we’re technically married. Maybe that’s hypocritical of me since I’ve been kissing Kerboros, but at least he’s not Zeph’s brother.

Olive nods, a certain shift in her aspect that indicates she’s taken what Tara said seriously. “I won’t fall for it again.”

Zeph makes a wordless sound of protest at being summarized and dismissed.

I ignore them. “Back to the original topic.”

Deadlines. Mishaps. I mean, we did go off course, and thanks to Zeph, things haven’t gone as planned. And I admit that I’ve lost track of time, but—